Swiss biotechnology company Lonza Group AG (Lonxa) (SWX: LONN) has agreed with British pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca Plc (STO: AZN) (LON: AZN) to make AZD7442, an experimental combination of two antibodies that may be used to prevent and treat COVID-19, Reuters news agency reported on Friday.

According to Lonxa, AZD7442 is in Phase I clinical studies and AstraZeneca plans to advance the combination into Phase III trials in the coming weeks.

Lonza will manufacture drug substance for AZD7442 at its facilities in the US.

These operations are expected to commence in the first half of 2021.